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The Reporter. (Akron, Ohio), 1998-06-20

The Reporter. (Akron, Ohio), 1998-06-20 page 1

I Banpy lather's Dayi 11 Nigerian Dictator Sucydmhs 1 i ?bc Eenorter |?# f tjj A Light In The Darkness ^ Your Reporter Newspaper's primary mission is to... "Cover the Nc*s of Northeastern Ohio comprehensively, fairly, and accurately " Saving: * Akron ?Canton ?Cleveland ?Columbus ?Elyria ?Lorain ?Mansfield ?Oberlin ?Ravenna ?Sandusky ?Warren ?Youngstown ?& Northeast Ohio VOL XXVMIL.No^ JUNE 20.1998 THRU JUNE 27, 1998 25 CENTS PER COpT lynching In Jasper Texas Is Intolerable by Hon Daniels As President Clinton's well intentioned initiative on racism continues to hobble along aimlessly. mounting acts of racial violence and terrorism clearly indicate that racism is alive and well in Amerikkka The grisly lynching of James Byrd, Jr. in Jasper. Texas by three White men who allegedly beat him senseless, chained him to the bumper of a pick-up truck and dragged his body for more than two miles is a stunning reminder that white supremacy can be as deadly as ever before in the United States While the lynching of James Byrd received national and international attention, another incident in Virginia where an African American was decapitated and burned, was hardly noticed. These two heinous murders and the brutal manner in w hich they were carried out arc alarmingly reminiscent of the horrific lynchings of thousands of African Americans after the Civil War and well into the twentieth century. What is perhaps more alarming. however, is the fact that these horrendous crimes against African Americans are occurring within a climate which breeds hatred, legitimizes racism and ultimately encourages racial violence. Though the out right lynching of Black people is horrifying, the intolerable acts of racism perpetuated by mainstream politicians, religious leaders, corporations and well established institutions is equally insidious, dangerous and damaging. The negative portrayal of Blacks in the media and the criminalization of young Black males in particular has become commonplace. As a consequence Black people arc far more likely to be arrested, more often convicted, serve longer sentences, and. as a recent study revealed, far more likely to receive the death penalty Racism pervades the criminal justice system from police departments, to prosecutors, judges and jails/prisons Hence the explosive growth of the prison-jail industrial complex where the vast majority of the inmates are African Americans and Latinos Affirmative action programs and other civil rights measures are now routinely overturned by the courts on the grounds that they are unfair to White people in a "race neutral" or "color blind" society The lack of education over the real need and intent of affirmative action programs and other measures designed to overcome the efTccts of past and present discrimination has meant that "civil rights" is increasingly seen as unnecessary and unfair by large numbers of White Americans This is breeding the kind of resentment that fueled the burning of hundreds of Black churches over the last decade and increasing incidents of racial violence like the ones in Jasper, Texas and Virginia , There appears to be a direct correlation between the rhetoric of public policy pronouncements, the decisions of political leaders and the proliferation of hate groups and racial violence in this society As the rightw ing conservative tide was swept this country with its attacks on Black progress, racist hate groups have become bolder and bolder in their verbal and physical attacks on Blacks and other groups who are not seen as acceptable in a "white Aryan society."The rise to hegemony of the right has also given license to widespread practices of racism within private institutions The internal memos at the Texaco corporation which revealed an utter disdain for Blacks bv executives and managers of that company likely mirror the not so secret attitudes of large nuinbers-of corporate executives and managers. The internal memo from Amcasts advertising agency which described Black and Latino consumers as "suspects" not "prospects." and therefore recommended to major White companies that they minimize allocations for Black owned media, is yet another example of the raw naked racism practiced with impunity in "mainstream" America. W E B DuBois warned that the "problem of the twentieth century will be the colorlinc." As Africans in America and the world prepare to enter the twenty-first century the colorlinc. the reality of racism and white supremacy remains a huge barncr to racial justice and racial reconciliation. The intolerable acts suffered by Africans in America are a function of deep seated attitudes and longstanding, institutionalized customs and policies Historically, more than one African American leader has suggested that the intolerable acts heaped upon the sons and daughters of Africa in America will continue until we confront the forces of w hite supremacy head on at the ballot box and in the streets ? by any means necessary to preserve and defend our dignity and destiny. The Ivnchings and other intolerable acts against the Black Nation will continue until we rise up in righteous rebellion. Judge Nathaniel R. Jones of the U.S. Court of Appeal! and Freedom Center co-chair prelent! Theodore M. Berry with a resolution launching the lecture series, while his son, Theodore N. Berry, looks on. Ohio CAC Founder Honored By Underground Railroad Center The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center announced today that it has created a national distinguished lecture series on public policy to honor Theodore M. Berry. Cincinnati's first black mayor and former head of the U.S. Office of Economic Opportunity, Berry dedicated his more than 60-year career to promoting freedom and human rights through social, political and le gal reform. The inaugural lecture of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Theodore M Berry Distinguished Lecture: A Series on Public Policy and Human Rights will be delivered in Cincinnati on Friday, Sept. 25 at the Mayerson Academy by Judge A. Leon Higginbotham. A retired chief justice of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, Higginbotham was in spired to study law while a college student after hearing Berry speak, and has since devoted his life to the law and to advancing human rights. Theodore M. Berry's distinguished career and his commitment to racial reconciliation and human rights has made him one of Cincinnati's most well known leaders Continued To Page 4 Ohio Football Coach Hall Of Fame Akron Public School's Director of Interscholastic Athletics. M. Montague Buckncr has been selected to the Ohio High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame. Coach Buckner began his high school coaching career in 1968 as Assistant at Canton McKinley High School. One year later, he took over the reins at Toledo Scott High School, where at the age of 24, he was the youngest coach in the history of the Toledo Public School system. After two years at Toledo Scott, Coach Buckner returned to his hometown of Akron, to become Head Coach at Buchtel High School. Again being part of history, at 26 years of age, being the youngest coach in the Akron City Series. Mike has been married to his wife Patricia for 30 years. They have three sons. The induction ceremony is Thursday, June 25,6:30 P.M. at the Knights of Columbus hall in Massillon. The induction is part of the festivities for the high school All-Star Classes held in Massillon. The Ohio High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame is currently in St. John's Arena on the campus of Ohio State University.Honored Mn. Inez Armstrong was honored for her yeqrs of dedication service to the New Life Christian Center Church Of God In Christ Mrs. Inez Armstrong accepts a clock plaque from Elder Melvin Carlock. For story and more photos see page S. Free Diabetes Program Akron General's Diabetes Education and Self-Management Program will hold "What are your kidneys telling you?" a Free informational program for people with diabetes and their families and caregivers. Dr. Susan Ray will be the featured presenter.The program will be held on Wednesday, June 17 at 6:30p.m. in Akron General's Conference Center Auditorium. 384- 7762. Parents Must Get Involved In Deciding New Attendance Policy The Akron board introduced for review and future acceptance board policies on attendance/ zero tolerancc/interscholastic eligibility. William Spratt, deputy Superintendent, explained that the three policies were in response to action taken by the Ohio Legislature. These policies include rales requiring students in grades seven to twelve to maintain grade point averages as a condition of participation. A second policy emphasizes zero tolerance for violent, disruptive and inappropriate behavior. In addition, attendance in the future will be aligned with district and building ratings as well as promotion. This would include establishing standards for a 93% attendance rate. Finally, rales would be estfblished which govern student count ^ The recommended poliBtu_ includes a statement wherein high school students would be precluded from participation in athletic and extracurricular activities if they have three inexcusable absences or tardies in a preceding grading period. Also included in the policies is a requirement that when a high school student has 10 days consecutive or IS days total of absence from school, the board will authorize the superintendent to inform the student and the students parents that the district intents to notify the registrar of motor vehicles and the judge of juvenile court of the students excessive truancy. It is critical to note that the board will be authorizing the superintendent to count ( for ADM purposes) who have been suspended from school during the first full week in October (official attendance count) and those students who are expelled and enrolled in alternative pro'*TOs means thaTthelEheal will be paid even though the stu dents have been suspended or expelled. It is strongly suggested that community examine the policies before they are put into effect Finally, it is critical, understanding the July 1 time frame, for parents and the community to be educated and have input regarding these policies prior to them being put into effect. It is also suggested that readers of the Reporter send their comments to the board members as well as the editor of the Reporter Newspaper. Parents are urged to understand the policy being considered now. so they understand why their child cannot play basketball or participate in athletics or any extracurricular activities. Whether motivated by state action or not parents should be informed and have input before the policy is passed and accepted by the board. UNCF RELEASES REPORT ON THE EDUCATIONAL STATUS OF AFRICAN AMERICANS According to a new report released by the United Negro College Fund (The College Fund/UNCF), the aspirations of African-American students are rising dramatically. The Status of Education in Black America, Vol. Ill released by the Frederick D Patterson Research Institute, UNCF's research arm. indicates that the challenge now is to make sure that course-taking and achievement keep pace. The new volume focuses on the transitions from high school to college and from school to work. It marks the completion of the largest, most comprehensive collection of information ever assembled on the educational status of African Americans. During the 1980s, the proportion of African-American high school sophomores expecting to graduate from college doubled from 35 to 70 percent. But the proportion enrolled in an academic program rose only to 39 percent Two years after their expected lime of high school graduation, only one-fourth were actually enrolled in college and working towards a bachelor 's degree According to William H. Gray, III. president and chief executive officer of The College Fund, the collection "provides informal in about the challenges facing African Americans in their transition from high school to college and from college to the workplace It is our hope that the compilation of this data which previously existed in isolation will allow for a new research agenda around these issues and pave the way for improving educational opportunities and outcomes in the future. ALPHA PHI ALPHA LAUNCHES NATIONWIDE HOUSING REINVESTMENT PROGRAM In a move to create a mass reinvestment in housing in the African-American community, the Alpha Phi Alpha Building Foundation has embarked on a nationwide neighborhood revitalization project to build homes W l?M?d modbnue-income families This announcement waif made while leaders of the fraternity were in Chicago to dedicate its newest set of family homes in the city's historic Bronzevillc community at the site of the fraternity's former headquarters The area has been renamed | Alpha Village Everett B. Ward, chairman of the Building Foun dation told those in anendancc. "the sole mission of the Foundation is to lead a massive reinvestment campaign in order to protect, preserve and promote African-American communities throughout the nation." Alpha Village was developed by Uihan Equities, an African-American development firm. The homes were constructed by Best American, also African American owned. The fraternity will soon begin reinvesting in similar communities around the nation as part of the national project. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc is the nation's first and largest African-American Greek-letter organization. KADHAFI FOR DEPLOYMENT OF TROOPS TO ERITREA-ETHIOPIA BORDER TRIPOLI, Libya (PANA) - Libyan leader Col. Moammar Kadhafi has suggested that troops from the six-nation Sahelian-Saharan Group be sent to the disputed border area between Eritrea and Ethiopia. The Group, set up in Tripoli in 1997, comprises Libya, Chad, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso and Sudan. Libyan diplomatic sources told PANA that Kadhafi, the grouping's current chairman, has assigned the organization's secretary-general, Adam Togoe of Chad, to submit the prepoat to Ethiopian Prime Minister MelesZenawi and Eritrean President TTatar Afcworki. The Libyan leader's offer comes amid early reports of clashes between Hie forces of the two countries in the disputed border area. Togoe visited Addis Ababa and Asmara in late May, together with the grouping's secretary genend, Madani Lazhari of Libya. They delivered Kadhafi's separate messages to the leaders, suggesting ways of promoting a peaceful settlement of the border dispute, which broke out on May 12. CANTON CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS PLANT 17,000 MUMS AT LAKE ANNA PARK Crews from the Ohio Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) arc currently assisting the City of Baibertcn Beautification Program by planting more than 17,000 chrysanthemums at Lake Anna Park. CCC crews expect to complete the project within the next two weeks. Corpsmiembers from the Canton CCC Camp will bsto prepare the flower beds add plant more than 40 different varieties of rooms, which are donated by Yoder Brothers. Inc. CRIME DOWN, BUT NOT OUT JQHANNESBURG. South Africa (IPS) ? While crime levels have begun to take a downward turn in South Africa, experts are there is still no cause for celebration. According to the South Africa Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR) in its latest publication "Fatt Facta," levels of crime have declined in the country since 1996, bnt there was a substantial incteare in crime between 1973 and 1993. Crime remains one of the greatest challenges fating President Nelson Mandela's government. Investments, business confidence, reconstruction and development programs have all been defeated by an uncontrollable crime wave. The provision of housing, education, job creation and crime, according l? the opposition Democratic Party, will be the major issues during South Africa's next general elections. The ruling African National Congress (ANC) government attributes the upsurge in crime since it took over the reigns of power in 1994 to forces bent on drrtihiHring the emmtry's first Black government. Accordinf to uptimes. South Africa has one of the world's highest rates of murder for s country not in a war. Compared to a world ereragc of 3.3 to 100,000 people in 1994, South Africa's murder refc wat 43 per 100,000. The South African Polioe services however, ray thai in 1996. 23,700 murders were reported, a three pmccnl drop front the number reported the previous year. But abareiutr ny anlam the huge economic disparities between the rich and the poor, and unemployment rates as high as 40 percent to find a sustainable Grandmother Wins Scholarship Cosandra Wheeler of Cleveland. who began studies at the Cuyahoga Community College Metro Campus after retiring from the U S Postal service, has been awarded a $25,000 scholarship to Canisius College in Buffalo, New York. Mrs. Wheeler, a grandmother, plans to complete a bachelor's degree in Hotel-Motel Management. Her career goal is hotel general manager. Mrs. Wheeler graduates from 1 Tri-C June 18 with an associate f degree in Hospitality Management concentrating in hotel- 1 motel management Her outstanding academic work led to the scholarship in Canisius' Statler Hotel Management program. The award cites her aca- . dcmic achievement, potential for success in the industry, and the hospitality industry experience she gained during intern- ; ships at the Rock and Roll Hall 1 of Fame and Museum, the i Cleveland Playhouse, and the ] NBA All-Star Weekend. i There's more to this scholar- i ship than studying at Canisius - i - considerable. The scholarship provides six months of hands- i on training at a resort in Swil- i zcrland. However, the exotic life i won't keep her from coming < home to Cleveland permanently < "I've had a chance to sec firsthand the expansion of the hos- i pitality industry here and I ' vould like to be a pari of that ;rowth," she explains. It's a brand new life for a i Aoman who spent 25 years with the Postal Service before making this incredible change -- and achievement. Mrs Whcclcr says she first became interested in the hospitality industry when she began planning events while working with the Postal Service. She learned through networking about a need for African Americans in the industry and thanks to an early retirement package from USPS.... decided to pursue the career by getting the education she needed at TriC.She attributes her academic success to the Tri-C faculty and especially to her family "I could not have achieved this much without their support and en?urageir.cnt."And, by the way, her mother, who is 72, is also a student at fri-C "Beat The Odds" Award Quincy Jones (center) is honored for his dedication to children and youth by Marian Wright Edelman (right) and mistress of ceremonies Maya Angelou (left) at a recent "Beat the Odds" celebration ceremony held at the Children's Defense Fund's Annual National Conference in Los Angeles, CA. In celebration of its 25th anniversary, the awards ceremony honored five Los Angeles area high school students who have overcome tremeMfeMatatacles and demonstrate academic excellence and personal achrCTRuggL Photo by Rick Reinhard. It's Never Too Late To Learn ^^^^^S^Dawson George Dawson, who resides near Dallas. Texas, was 98 when he decided it was time to learn to read. Today, after two years in literacy class, his fellow students helped him celebrate his 100th birthday on January 18th. Dawson has learned to read at the third-grade level, writes his name in lovely cursive script, and recites the alphabet backward and forward. He is so proud of his skill that on Sundays, at Holiness Church of God. nothing short of throatclearing from his pastor reminds him that he has read aloud from the Bible long enough. Dawson is the grandson of a slave and the oldest son of a farmer so poor he put the boy to work at age 8 and rented him

I Banpy lather's Dayi 11 Nigerian Dictator Sucydmhs 1 i ?bc Eenorter |?# f tjj A Light In The Darkness ^ Your Reporter Newspaper's primary mission is to... "Cover the Nc*s of Northeastern Ohio comprehensively, fairly, and accurately " Saving: * Akron ?Canton ?Cleveland ?Columbus ?Elyria ?Lorain ?Mansfield ?Oberlin ?Ravenna ?Sandusky ?Warren ?Youngstown ?& Northeast Ohio VOL XXVMIL.No^ JUNE 20.1998 THRU JUNE 27, 1998 25 CENTS PER COpT lynching In Jasper Texas Is Intolerable by Hon Daniels As President Clinton's well intentioned initiative on racism continues to hobble along aimlessly. mounting acts of racial violence and terrorism clearly indicate that racism is alive and well in Amerikkka The grisly lynching of James Byrd, Jr. in Jasper. Texas by three White men who allegedly beat him senseless, chained him to the bumper of a pick-up truck and dragged his body for more than two miles is a stunning reminder that white supremacy can be as deadly as ever before in the United States While the lynching of James Byrd received national and international attention, another incident in Virginia where an African American was decapitated and burned, was hardly noticed. These two heinous murders and the brutal manner in w hich they were carried out arc alarmingly reminiscent of the horrific lynchings of thousands of African Americans after the Civil War and well into the twentieth century. What is perhaps more alarming. however, is the fact that these horrendous crimes against African Americans are occurring within a climate which breeds hatred, legitimizes racism and ultimately encourages racial violence. Though the out right lynching of Black people is horrifying, the intolerable acts of racism perpetuated by mainstream politicians, religious leaders, corporations and well established institutions is equally insidious, dangerous and damaging. The negative portrayal of Blacks in the media and the criminalization of young Black males in particular has become commonplace. As a consequence Black people arc far more likely to be arrested, more often convicted, serve longer sentences, and. as a recent study revealed, far more likely to receive the death penalty Racism pervades the criminal justice system from police departments, to prosecutors, judges and jails/prisons Hence the explosive growth of the prison-jail industrial complex where the vast majority of the inmates are African Americans and Latinos Affirmative action programs and other civil rights measures are now routinely overturned by the courts on the grounds that they are unfair to White people in a "race neutral" or "color blind" society The lack of education over the real need and intent of affirmative action programs and other measures designed to overcome the efTccts of past and present discrimination has meant that "civil rights" is increasingly seen as unnecessary and unfair by large numbers of White Americans This is breeding the kind of resentment that fueled the burning of hundreds of Black churches over the last decade and increasing incidents of racial violence like the ones in Jasper, Texas and Virginia , There appears to be a direct correlation between the rhetoric of public policy pronouncements, the decisions of political leaders and the proliferation of hate groups and racial violence in this society As the rightw ing conservative tide was swept this country with its attacks on Black progress, racist hate groups have become bolder and bolder in their verbal and physical attacks on Blacks and other groups who are not seen as acceptable in a "white Aryan society."The rise to hegemony of the right has also given license to widespread practices of racism within private institutions The internal memos at the Texaco corporation which revealed an utter disdain for Blacks bv executives and managers of that company likely mirror the not so secret attitudes of large nuinbers-of corporate executives and managers. The internal memo from Amcasts advertising agency which described Black and Latino consumers as "suspects" not "prospects." and therefore recommended to major White companies that they minimize allocations for Black owned media, is yet another example of the raw naked racism practiced with impunity in "mainstream" America. W E B DuBois warned that the "problem of the twentieth century will be the colorlinc." As Africans in America and the world prepare to enter the twenty-first century the colorlinc. the reality of racism and white supremacy remains a huge barncr to racial justice and racial reconciliation. The intolerable acts suffered by Africans in America are a function of deep seated attitudes and longstanding, institutionalized customs and policies Historically, more than one African American leader has suggested that the intolerable acts heaped upon the sons and daughters of Africa in America will continue until we confront the forces of w hite supremacy head on at the ballot box and in the streets ? by any means necessary to preserve and defend our dignity and destiny. The Ivnchings and other intolerable acts against the Black Nation will continue until we rise up in righteous rebellion. Judge Nathaniel R. Jones of the U.S. Court of Appeal! and Freedom Center co-chair prelent! Theodore M. Berry with a resolution launching the lecture series, while his son, Theodore N. Berry, looks on. Ohio CAC Founder Honored By Underground Railroad Center The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center announced today that it has created a national distinguished lecture series on public policy to honor Theodore M. Berry. Cincinnati's first black mayor and former head of the U.S. Office of Economic Opportunity, Berry dedicated his more than 60-year career to promoting freedom and human rights through social, political and le gal reform. The inaugural lecture of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Theodore M Berry Distinguished Lecture: A Series on Public Policy and Human Rights will be delivered in Cincinnati on Friday, Sept. 25 at the Mayerson Academy by Judge A. Leon Higginbotham. A retired chief justice of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, Higginbotham was in spired to study law while a college student after hearing Berry speak, and has since devoted his life to the law and to advancing human rights. Theodore M. Berry's distinguished career and his commitment to racial reconciliation and human rights has made him one of Cincinnati's most well known leaders Continued To Page 4 Ohio Football Coach Hall Of Fame Akron Public School's Director of Interscholastic Athletics. M. Montague Buckncr has been selected to the Ohio High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame. Coach Buckner began his high school coaching career in 1968 as Assistant at Canton McKinley High School. One year later, he took over the reins at Toledo Scott High School, where at the age of 24, he was the youngest coach in the history of the Toledo Public School system. After two years at Toledo Scott, Coach Buckner returned to his hometown of Akron, to become Head Coach at Buchtel High School. Again being part of history, at 26 years of age, being the youngest coach in the Akron City Series. Mike has been married to his wife Patricia for 30 years. They have three sons. The induction ceremony is Thursday, June 25,6:30 P.M. at the Knights of Columbus hall in Massillon. The induction is part of the festivities for the high school All-Star Classes held in Massillon. The Ohio High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame is currently in St. John's Arena on the campus of Ohio State University.Honored Mn. Inez Armstrong was honored for her yeqrs of dedication service to the New Life Christian Center Church Of God In Christ Mrs. Inez Armstrong accepts a clock plaque from Elder Melvin Carlock. For story and more photos see page S. Free Diabetes Program Akron General's Diabetes Education and Self-Management Program will hold "What are your kidneys telling you?" a Free informational program for people with diabetes and their families and caregivers. Dr. Susan Ray will be the featured presenter.The program will be held on Wednesday, June 17 at 6:30p.m. in Akron General's Conference Center Auditorium. 384- 7762. Parents Must Get Involved In Deciding New Attendance Policy The Akron board introduced for review and future acceptance board policies on attendance/ zero tolerancc/interscholastic eligibility. William Spratt, deputy Superintendent, explained that the three policies were in response to action taken by the Ohio Legislature. These policies include rales requiring students in grades seven to twelve to maintain grade point averages as a condition of participation. A second policy emphasizes zero tolerance for violent, disruptive and inappropriate behavior. In addition, attendance in the future will be aligned with district and building ratings as well as promotion. This would include establishing standards for a 93% attendance rate. Finally, rales would be estfblished which govern student count ^ The recommended poliBtu_ includes a statement wherein high school students would be precluded from participation in athletic and extracurricular activities if they have three inexcusable absences or tardies in a preceding grading period. Also included in the policies is a requirement that when a high school student has 10 days consecutive or IS days total of absence from school, the board will authorize the superintendent to inform the student and the students parents that the district intents to notify the registrar of motor vehicles and the judge of juvenile court of the students excessive truancy. It is critical to note that the board will be authorizing the superintendent to count ( for ADM purposes) who have been suspended from school during the first full week in October (official attendance count) and those students who are expelled and enrolled in alternative pro'*TOs means thaTthelEheal will be paid even though the stu dents have been suspended or expelled. It is strongly suggested that community examine the policies before they are put into effect Finally, it is critical, understanding the July 1 time frame, for parents and the community to be educated and have input regarding these policies prior to them being put into effect. It is also suggested that readers of the Reporter send their comments to the board members as well as the editor of the Reporter Newspaper. Parents are urged to understand the policy being considered now. so they understand why their child cannot play basketball or participate in athletics or any extracurricular activities. Whether motivated by state action or not parents should be informed and have input before the policy is passed and accepted by the board. UNCF RELEASES REPORT ON THE EDUCATIONAL STATUS OF AFRICAN AMERICANS According to a new report released by the United Negro College Fund (The College Fund/UNCF), the aspirations of African-American students are rising dramatically. The Status of Education in Black America, Vol. Ill released by the Frederick D Patterson Research Institute, UNCF's research arm. indicates that the challenge now is to make sure that course-taking and achievement keep pace. The new volume focuses on the transitions from high school to college and from school to work. It marks the completion of the largest, most comprehensive collection of information ever assembled on the educational status of African Americans. During the 1980s, the proportion of African-American high school sophomores expecting to graduate from college doubled from 35 to 70 percent. But the proportion enrolled in an academic program rose only to 39 percent Two years after their expected lime of high school graduation, only one-fourth were actually enrolled in college and working towards a bachelor 's degree According to William H. Gray, III. president and chief executive officer of The College Fund, the collection "provides informal in about the challenges facing African Americans in their transition from high school to college and from college to the workplace It is our hope that the compilation of this data which previously existed in isolation will allow for a new research agenda around these issues and pave the way for improving educational opportunities and outcomes in the future. ALPHA PHI ALPHA LAUNCHES NATIONWIDE HOUSING REINVESTMENT PROGRAM In a move to create a mass reinvestment in housing in the African-American community, the Alpha Phi Alpha Building Foundation has embarked on a nationwide neighborhood revitalization project to build homes W l?M?d modbnue-income families This announcement waif made while leaders of the fraternity were in Chicago to dedicate its newest set of family homes in the city's historic Bronzevillc community at the site of the fraternity's former headquarters The area has been renamed | Alpha Village Everett B. Ward, chairman of the Building Foun dation told those in anendancc. "the sole mission of the Foundation is to lead a massive reinvestment campaign in order to protect, preserve and promote African-American communities throughout the nation." Alpha Village was developed by Uihan Equities, an African-American development firm. The homes were constructed by Best American, also African American owned. The fraternity will soon begin reinvesting in similar communities around the nation as part of the national project. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc is the nation's first and largest African-American Greek-letter organization. KADHAFI FOR DEPLOYMENT OF TROOPS TO ERITREA-ETHIOPIA BORDER TRIPOLI, Libya (PANA) - Libyan leader Col. Moammar Kadhafi has suggested that troops from the six-nation Sahelian-Saharan Group be sent to the disputed border area between Eritrea and Ethiopia. The Group, set up in Tripoli in 1997, comprises Libya, Chad, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso and Sudan. Libyan diplomatic sources told PANA that Kadhafi, the grouping's current chairman, has assigned the organization's secretary-general, Adam Togoe of Chad, to submit the prepoat to Ethiopian Prime Minister MelesZenawi and Eritrean President TTatar Afcworki. The Libyan leader's offer comes amid early reports of clashes between Hie forces of the two countries in the disputed border area. Togoe visited Addis Ababa and Asmara in late May, together with the grouping's secretary genend, Madani Lazhari of Libya. They delivered Kadhafi's separate messages to the leaders, suggesting ways of promoting a peaceful settlement of the border dispute, which broke out on May 12. CANTON CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS PLANT 17,000 MUMS AT LAKE ANNA PARK Crews from the Ohio Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) arc currently assisting the City of Baibertcn Beautification Program by planting more than 17,000 chrysanthemums at Lake Anna Park. CCC crews expect to complete the project within the next two weeks. Corpsmiembers from the Canton CCC Camp will bsto prepare the flower beds add plant more than 40 different varieties of rooms, which are donated by Yoder Brothers. Inc. CRIME DOWN, BUT NOT OUT JQHANNESBURG. South Africa (IPS) ? While crime levels have begun to take a downward turn in South Africa, experts are there is still no cause for celebration. According to the South Africa Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR) in its latest publication "Fatt Facta," levels of crime have declined in the country since 1996, bnt there was a substantial incteare in crime between 1973 and 1993. Crime remains one of the greatest challenges fating President Nelson Mandela's government. Investments, business confidence, reconstruction and development programs have all been defeated by an uncontrollable crime wave. The provision of housing, education, job creation and crime, according l? the opposition Democratic Party, will be the major issues during South Africa's next general elections. The ruling African National Congress (ANC) government attributes the upsurge in crime since it took over the reigns of power in 1994 to forces bent on drrtihiHring the emmtry's first Black government. Accordinf to uptimes. South Africa has one of the world's highest rates of murder for s country not in a war. Compared to a world ereragc of 3.3 to 100,000 people in 1994, South Africa's murder refc wat 43 per 100,000. The South African Polioe services however, ray thai in 1996. 23,700 murders were reported, a three pmccnl drop front the number reported the previous year. But abareiutr ny anlam the huge economic disparities between the rich and the poor, and unemployment rates as high as 40 percent to find a sustainable Grandmother Wins Scholarship Cosandra Wheeler of Cleveland. who began studies at the Cuyahoga Community College Metro Campus after retiring from the U S Postal service, has been awarded a $25,000 scholarship to Canisius College in Buffalo, New York. Mrs. Wheeler, a grandmother, plans to complete a bachelor's degree in Hotel-Motel Management. Her career goal is hotel general manager. Mrs. Wheeler graduates from 1 Tri-C June 18 with an associate f degree in Hospitality Management concentrating in hotel- 1 motel management Her outstanding academic work led to the scholarship in Canisius' Statler Hotel Management program. The award cites her aca- . dcmic achievement, potential for success in the industry, and the hospitality industry experience she gained during intern- ; ships at the Rock and Roll Hall 1 of Fame and Museum, the i Cleveland Playhouse, and the ] NBA All-Star Weekend. i There's more to this scholar- i ship than studying at Canisius - i - considerable. The scholarship provides six months of hands- i on training at a resort in Swil- i zcrland. However, the exotic life i won't keep her from coming < home to Cleveland permanently < "I've had a chance to sec firsthand the expansion of the hos- i pitality industry here and I ' vould like to be a pari of that ;rowth," she explains. It's a brand new life for a i Aoman who spent 25 years with the Postal Service before making this incredible change -- and achievement. Mrs Whcclcr says she first became interested in the hospitality industry when she began planning events while working with the Postal Service. She learned through networking about a need for African Americans in the industry and thanks to an early retirement package from USPS.... decided to pursue the career by getting the education she needed at TriC.She attributes her academic success to the Tri-C faculty and especially to her family "I could not have achieved this much without their support and en?urageir.cnt."And, by the way, her mother, who is 72, is also a student at fri-C "Beat The Odds" Award Quincy Jones (center) is honored for his dedication to children and youth by Marian Wright Edelman (right) and mistress of ceremonies Maya Angelou (left) at a recent "Beat the Odds" celebration ceremony held at the Children's Defense Fund's Annual National Conference in Los Angeles, CA. In celebration of its 25th anniversary, the awards ceremony honored five Los Angeles area high school students who have overcome tremeMfeMatatacles and demonstrate academic excellence and personal achrCTRuggL Photo by Rick Reinhard. It's Never Too Late To Learn ^^^^^S^Dawson George Dawson, who resides near Dallas. Texas, was 98 when he decided it was time to learn to read. Today, after two years in literacy class, his fellow students helped him celebrate his 100th birthday on January 18th. Dawson has learned to read at the third-grade level, writes his name in lovely cursive script, and recites the alphabet backward and forward. He is so proud of his skill that on Sundays, at Holiness Church of God. nothing short of throatclearing from his pastor reminds him that he has read aloud from the Bible long enough. Dawson is the grandson of a slave and the oldest son of a farmer so poor he put the boy to work at age 8 and rented him